We, along with most other media outlets, publish stories most days on what they are up to in Little Rock. It isn’t always the sexiest news in the paper, but most of what they do is important. And it is important that you know what is happening.

When we elected the people who represent us in the State House and Senate, we put our trust in the system, and in the folks who represent us.

After covering government for the better part of three decades, I sometimes wonder out loud about some of the legislation that comes along. At other times, I marvel at the good work done by our representatives. All-in-all, I am generally pleased by our leaders, who tend to work for the betterment of the society in which we live in.

Would I like to see less politics in places like Little Rock? Sure. But I understand that is the way of the world.

I applaud the elected officials who make things happen. And I tell all of them that we have long memories, so please know we’re paying attention.

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Saturday is seldom an off day for me as I work on the Sunday paper, and I also do planning for the next week’s newspapers.

When I finished work this past Saturday, it was off to a home improvement store for me as I have a fencing issue that allows the beagle puppy, Daisy, to get out of my backyard.

I don’t have to worry about the big-boy lab, Duke, getting out. His big body won’t fit through the little holes at the bottom of the fence.

I’m not so handy, but I have a plan. This is a plan I’ve used before in similar situations involving a silky terrier and a catahoula. I know it will work, at least I think it will. I’m pretty sure I’m smarter than a 4-month-old beagle.

I understand that part of the responsibility that comes with pet ownership is keeping my Bubba dogs safely confined in my yard. We focus on taking care of our dogs and I have the receipts to prove it.

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It appears the Walmart Neighborhood Market zoning change request will be with us for at least a couple more months as the City Council heard the first reading of the ordinance last week at its January meeting.

If all goes to plan, it’ll hear the second and then third readings at the February and March meetings before it will consider voting on the issue.

There is talk of a public meeting to continue the discussion and give everyone a voice in the process.

I think when the matter is all said and done, all of the elected city officials should have a good understanding of the topic, and what people think about the issue. Of course, I think most of the City Council members may already understand what people in Russellville think on the issue, and I also believe that if a took place Monday, the aldermen also know how they’ll vote.

However, we’re going to ride out this process over the next few months and see where it takes us.

A side note I’m wondering about: With this precedent to follow the law, will the council have the required three readings on every ordinance that comes before it in the coming months?